Breaking Down Barriers

October 16-17, 2025 – Orono, Maine

Wells Conference Center, Orono, Maine

Improving Barrier Coatings On Paper

Thursday, October 16, 2025

This one-day program will feature speakers from industry and universities addressing the latest advancements in barrier coatings. Discover the newest technologies advancing the use of paper to replace single-use plastics.

Paper Surface Science Program Fall Meeting

Friday October 17, 2025

The Fall Meeting of the University of Maine Paper Surface Science Program is traditionally limited to members. Take advantage of this opportunity to join the Fall Meeting to hear the latest research at UMaine on surface treatments for paper.

Register Now!

Improving Barrier Coatings on Paper – Thursday, October 16, 2025

Keynote speaker:

“Barrier Coatings for Paper: A Personal Perspective on Current Status and Challenges” – Dr. John Roper, Consultant

Morning Speakers:

“Adapting to Global Shifts in Packaging Regulations: Opportunities and Obstacles” – Preeti Tyagi, Ph.D., Senior Engineer, Global R&D Innovations, Mars-Wrigley
“A Summary of Recent Barrier Coating Technology Developments” – Greg Welsch, Trineso
“Starch Solutions for Oil/Grease Barrier” – Brad Hartong, Application Development Specialist, Primient
“Considerations when designing multilayer barrier coatings” – Brian Einsela, Senior Research Scientist, Dow

Afternoon Speakers:

“Grease resistance testing – A new standard” – Scott Castonguay, R&D Group Manager, Sustainable Packaging, Sappi North America and Brad Hartong, Application Development Specialist, Primient
“Mechanics of coating failure during folding” – Joel Panek, Research Scientist, Smurfit Westrock
Group Discussion – Testing needs / standards (recycling)
“Coating research at the University of Maine” – Will Gramlich and Doug Bousfield
Discussion – Technical needs in the industry

Evening Activities:

Reception and Student Poster Session
Dinner (arranged dinner for PSSP sponsors, others on own)

Registration

Registration is $150 for the Improving Barrier Coatings on Paper on Paper event. Attendees are welcome to join the Fall PSSP at no additional charge. Register today!

Accommodations

Stay on campus at the Hotel Ursa! Hotel Ursa is walking distance to the event venue.

This event is hosted by the Process Development Center, the Paper Surface Science Program, and the UMaine Sustainable Packaging Initiative.

Fall Meeting of the Paper Surface Science Program –

Friday, October 17, 2025 – 8:00-3:30 PM

Welcome – PSSP history and highlights – Doug Bousfield

Graduate Student Presentations:

Vacuum coating of CNF – Sandro Zier
Pulse CNF coating on molded pulp – Samuel Mubenesha
Biobased Hydrophobic coating on paper – Muhbaba Daizy
Nano-lignin, chitin, cellulose potentials – Mostafa Gal
PVOH/CNF barrier layers – Akongseh Ngwana
CNF characterization – Yasaman Asiae

Future topics and directions for PSSP

Tour of the Process Development Center

The Process Development Center